Choosing a Visa

Departments who would like to invite international visiting professors or researchers to Suffolk University may be able to request documentation for J-1 visa request work authorization documents for the visitor’s visa application and entry to the U.S. or for an in-country change of status.

Suffolk University can use a variety of visa classifications to legally hire or host professors, researchers, librarians, and other internationals for the purpose of collaborative research, employment, or lectures. Determining the correct visa for the international visitor is the first step in the process of hiring or hosting international faculty or researcher. The following scenarios may be helpful in determining next steps once an international employee or visitor has been identified as

"We're inviting someone to lecture and we'd like to pay an honorarium and/or reimburse expenses…"

Visa Type

Allows

For more information

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

The majority of temporary visiting researchers and scholars come to lecture or conduct research as J-1 Exchange Visitors. Information on how to invite individuals to the US in this status can be found on the J-1 Exchange Visitor website. Short-Term scholars are allowed to remain in the U.S. up to six months.

"We're hiring an international student who is graduating from an American institution…"

Visa Type

Allows

For more information

F-1 Optional Practical Training*

An international student in F-1 status may apply for temporary employment authorization called Optional Practical Training (OPT) to be used during a degree program or after the completion of course requirements. Once the authorization has been approved by USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued. Departments at Suffolk may employ F-1 OPT students for a period of time within the validity of the EAD.

An international student in J-1 status may apply for a temporary employment authorization known as Academic Training (A/T) to be used during a degree program or after the completion of course requirements. Once the authorization has been approved by the student’s J program sponsor, the J-1 receives a Letter of Authorization and extended DS-2019. Departments at Suffolk University may employ J-1 A/T students for a period of time within the 18-36 month validity of the Letter of Authorization.

*Student should apply for authorization through the International Office of the institution from which he/she recently graduated.

"We're hiring an international person for a tenure-track or tenured position…"

Visa Type

Allows

For more information

J-1 Scholar/Researcher

The majority of temporary visiting researchers and scholars come to lecture or conduct research as J-1 Exchange Visitors.Short-Term scholars are allowed to remain in the U.S. up to six months. Scholar/Researchers can be extended to up to five years.

Employees in non-tenured faculty titles and researchers can be brought into the U.S. on H-1B visas, if the J-1 visa is not an appropriate fit. H-1B petitions require approximately six to eight months to process. It is important to consult with the hiring department on the justification for H-1b over J-1.

"We're hiring an international person for non-tenured teaching/research position…"

Visa Type

Allows

For more information

H-1B

Tenure-track faculty members and permanent researchers should primarily be brought into the U.S. on H-1B visas. H-1B petitions require approximately six to eight months to processIt is important to contact the hiring department’s to determine eligibility for this status.